Thane Man Declared Dead Wakes Up: Doctor Under Fire
Summary: A 64-year-old man from Thane, mistakenly declared dead by a doctor, shocked his family by showing signs of life just before his funeral. This alarming case has triggered a government inquiry against the doctor for medical negligence.
He Was Declared Dead - Then He Started Breathing
What would you do if a loved one declared dead suddenly came back to life?
That’s exactly what happened in Ulhasnagar, Thane, when 64-year-old Abhiman Girdhar Tayde, believed to be dead, began breathing again, moments before his last rites. The shocking incident has now led to a formal investigation into medical negligence and ethical lapses by a private hospital doctor.
A Real-Life Miracle or a Grave Medical Error?
Tayde, who had been undergoing treatment for jaundice at a Mumbai hospital, collapsed at home one evening. His panicked family rushed him to Shivneri Hospital in Ulhasnagar in an autorickshaw. There, without even bringing the patient inside the hospital or performing a thorough check, Dr. Prabhu Ahuja, a laparoscopic surgeon and hospital owner, pronounced him dead.
Declared Dead: Family Starts Funeral Prep
Believing the diagnosis, Tayde’s family took the body home to prepare for his funeral. But just before the rituals began, a relative noticed his abdomen slightly moving. In disbelief, they realized he was breathing.
Rushed to Another Hospital - He Wakes Up
The family immediately shifted him to Criticare Hospital. Within 30 minutes of treatment, Tayde regained consciousness. Doctors confirmed he was alive and began treating him for jaundice. Fortunately, he is now out of danger.
Doctor Issues Death Certificate for a Living Patient
What’s even more troubling? When Tayde’s son, Sachin, later asked Dr. Ahuja for a written death certificate to highlight the grave error, the doctor readily issued one, still unaware the patient had survived.
Health Department Steps In: Show Cause Notice Issued
Even though the family didn’t file a formal complaint, the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) took suo motu action. The health department issued a show cause notice to Dr. Ahuja for declaring a living man dead without proper medical evaluation.
Dr. Mohini Dharma, health officer, told TOI,
“If the clarification is not satisfactory, then we will form a committee to investigate, and action will be taken based on findings.”
Doctor Apologizes - Blames Loud Construction Noise
In his defense, Dr. Ahuja admitted the mistake and apologised. He claimed that due to loud construction noise near the hospital, he could not properly hear the patient’s heartbeat or breathing. This, he said, led him to assume the patient was dead.
What Happens Next?
The doctor’s medical license could be at risk. If the investigation finds him guilty of negligence, the authorities may take strict disciplinary action. The incident has once again raised serious concerns about the standard of emergency medical care and the need for strict protocols before declaring death.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Medical Accountability
This near-death fiasco is a chilling reminder of why thorough medical checks and professional standards must be upheld, especially when it comes to life and death. While Tayde survived, not everyone may be so lucky. The ongoing investigation may set a precedent for handling such serious breaches in medical ethics.
Inputs from varous media sources.
Dane
I am an MBBS graduate and a dedicated medical writer with a strong passion for deep research and psychology. I enjoy breaking down complex medical topics into engaging, easy-to-understand content, aiming to educate and inspire readers by exploring the fascinating connection between health, science, and the human mind.
